Miami – The ACLU of Florida is encouraging state officials to support the federal transgender guidance created earlier this month.
In a letter addressed to Gov. Rick Scott, Attorney General Pam Bondi and Florida Department of Education Commission Pam Stewart, the ACLU of Florida urged officials to follow the guidance not only because it is the law, but because “protecting transgender students is simply the right thing to do.”
A copy of the ACLU letter was sent to every school superintendent in the state and emphasizes that a safe, supportive school environment should be provided to all students.
“Providing access to sex-segregated facilities consistent with one’s gender identity is important for the safety and well-being of transgender students, who cannot be excluded from the right that all children in Florida have to an education free from discrimination and harassment. Excluding transgender students from the same restrooms used by other students that correspond to their gender identity sends a message to transgender students and their peers that transgender students should be treated differently and that their mere presence in the same facilities used by their peers is unacceptable,” the letter reads.
The ACLU of Florida filed a complaint last week with the U.S. Department of Education that calls for investigation into a policy at Marion County schools that discriminates against transgender students.
